The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A passenger on a flight from Florida to California was accused of interfering with a flight crew member after allegedly touching a flight attendant during beverage service.
According to a federal criminal complaint, the incident happened on May 9 on a Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles. It was reported that a flight attendant had begun serving drinks and passed by a passenger because she believed he was asleep.
While assisting another traveler nearby, the flight attendant allegedly felt a strike to her buttocks that was strong enough to cause her body to move forward. Authorities said she immediately turned around and saw the passenger raising his hands and denying that he had done anything.
The alleged victim then left the area and informed the lead flight attendant about what had happened. Another crew member later told investigators she heard the alleged victim yell and stopped her own beverage service to help move the flight attendant away from the passenger.
The pilot was notified of the situation and decided to divert the aircraft to Atlanta. After the plane arrived at the gate, local officers met the flight and detained the passenger. Since the alleged conduct occurred on a commercial flight, the FBI became involved.
During interviews with investigators, the passenger reportedly acknowledged touching the flight attendant’s buttocks but claimed he was only trying to get her attention after believing he had been skipped during drink service. He reportedly disputed the allegation that the contact was forceful enough to move her forward.
The 32-year-old man was later arrested and charged with interference with flight crew members or attendants. Court records showed he appeared before a judge two days later and was ordered held pending trial.
A federal grand jury in Atlanta returned an indictment against him on June 3, and the case is set to move forward in federal court.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.